Obama dismisses Arab criticism of Netanyahu speech

“I think it's important not to immediately assess the situation based on commentary the day after a speech,” Obama told reporters less than two weeks after his aides enthusiastically distributed Arab responses to his own policy speech in Cairo.

Obama claimed that similar negative knee-jerk responses are heard out of Israel every time an Arab leader makes a policy speech that mentions the Jewish state. Of course, the policy speeches that come out of Arab capitals are usually openly hostile toward Israel, whereas Netanyahu was extending a hand of peace, albeit cautiously.

The president went on to say that he sees Netanyahu’s speech as a chance to start serious final status peace talks, and expects the Arabs to join in.